NWLife

The latest church update from Pastor Brian is here:

NWLife Family,

It’s tax day – even Jesus experienced it. And so, my only commentary is to wish you peace. The kind of peace Jesus offers…

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. —John 14.27

On that note, our own John Overby, husband of Deanna and father of Pastor Shari, passed away at home last weekend. We join the family in gratitude for John’s life, and that he is now in perfect peace. The funeral service for John Overby will be held this Saturday, April 18 at 11:00am, here at NWLife Church. All are invited.

Last week was the second Sunday of Easter – which means we’re in the church season known as Eastertide. I shared a message entitled, “The Possibility of Misidentifying Jesus.” If you were unable to be with us in person, the service is now online: www.nwlife.church

This week, we continue in the stories of Jesus appearing to, and meeting with, his friends after the resurrection—and we will worship and receive communion together. Trust me, it’s gonna be a good day in church! Put your family in the electric station wagon and bring ‘em.

Life Groups are about to kick off… so have a look at the groups and sign up for information on any of the groups you might be interested in. You can see all the groups and request info here: www.nwlife.church/connect

Also – reminder: Water Baptism is coming April 26. You prolly should sign up: www.nwlife.church/connect

Going with Love,

Pastor Brian

“The deeper our faith, the more doubt we must endure; the deeper our hope, the more prone we are to despair; the deeper our love, the more pain its loss will bring: these are a few of the paradoxes we must hold as human beings.” —Parker Palmer

Church news and whatnot... the update e-mail from PB is here:

NWLife Family,

Thank you all for the birthday wishes and kindnesses – I’m definitely feeling loved and soooooo much older (just not enough to get that Tuesday discount at Value Village I’ve been eyeing).

Pastor Andy spoke on Sunday this past weekend about the Good Shepherd. It was a full service of worship and communion and this important Lent message—if you missed it, the video is available online: www.nwlife.church

This is the last Sunday to donate candy for the Easter candy drive (individually wrapped bags of the good stuff). We’ll also be collecting candy-filled eggs that went to homes for assembly. Thank you for all your sweet giving.

I know the rain feels like a clingy nuisance, but it’s just working itself out so we can have a beautiful Easter Sunday at NWLife. Easter is our big deal—celebrating our Savior’s truimph over death, sin, and shame. It’s the Sunday of Sundays, and a wonderful opportunity to invite some friends, family, and even a few sketchy acquaintances.

Yeah, Easter Sunday will be sunlit and glorious! Gospel music, Krispy Kreme donuts, family and friends photo spot, kid’s classes, nursery, communion, an Easter celebration message… it’s happening at 9:30 and 11:00am right here, Sunday, April 5.

Also, this weekend is Palm Sunday… you know, where ya wave yo hands and do yo dance. And if you don’t know, be here and you will! Plus, you really don’t want FOMO. Services at regular times and we’ll be serving food in the lobby between services. We’ll save you a seat!

Finally, all this talk about Spring leads me to Spring Life Groups. Our catalog is out now – have a look at the groups and sign up for information on groups you’re interested in. You can see all the groups and request info here: www.nwlife.church/connect

I’m sticking with love,

Pastor Brian

December is gone
Along with January and February
Spring is here Tulip buds appear
Clover blossom to meadow grass
This is the grace we have wanted

Artists go outdoors
To let the beauty move
Through their hands and their brushes

No more holding back
Be reckless Tell your love
To errbody

Stand up
The prostrating part
Of the prayer
Is over

—Rumi

The latest church update e-mail from PB is here:

NWLife Family,

Did you see the moon and stars and planets last night??!?!?!?! Wowza. My eyes sparkled.

It’s March, yeah… and we’re marching our way toward Easter. Which means the Easter candy drive is on now—we need lots of individually wrapped candy that fits inside plastic eggs. Good candy, amen? The drop off spot is awaiting your donation(s) in the lobby.

On Sunday, Pastor Andy shared a poignant message about “competing Christianities” and the Gospel story of the Transfiguration. If you’ve ever been troubled by the Christian label being applied to some non-Jesus-like beliefs and behaviors, you’re gonna want to listen to this sermon – it’s available online: www.nwlife.church

This weekend, I’m looking forward to sharing with you a continuation of a theme I began a few weeks ago about our faith foundation… the first installment, “The One God Who Created And Blessed,” was about our place within the three Abrahamic faith traditions. This Sunday, I’ll speak about the “Vine And Branches,” AKA Jesus and his 45,000 denominations.

Anyway, I hope to share what I believe is our NEED FOR A NON-PROPRIETARY GOD. We’re digging down, looking deep, and talking about our faith—what we believe and where that belief comes from and why… (pause) and what do we do about our siblings who see it differently?

Make your plans to attend one of our regular morning services (9:30 and 11:00am). Like usual, we’ll be serving food in the lobby between services and all the kid’s classes and nursery will be open too. We’ll save you a seat!

Quite obviously, Spring is right around the corner—and that means Spring Life Groups are taking shape now. If you might maybe be interested in hosting a Life Group this time around, please let us know: www.nwlife.church/connect

I’m sticking with love,

Pastor Brian

“Every one of us is in the image of God, and every one of us is like a damaged icon. But if we were given an icon damaged by time, damaged by circumstances, or desecrated by human hatred, we would treat it with reverence, with tenderness, with broken-heartedness. We would not pay attention primarily to the fact that it is damaged, but to the tragedy of its being damaged. We would concentrate on what is left of its beauty, and not on what is lost of its beauty. And this is what we must learn to do with regard to each person as an individual, but also – and this is not always as easy – with regard to groups of people, whether it be a parish or a denomination, or a nation.

We must learn to look, and look until we have seen the underlying beauty of this group of people. Only then can we even begin to do something to call out all the beauty that is there. Listen to other people, and whenever you discern something which sounds true, which is a revelation of harmony and beauty, emphasize it and help it to flower. Strengthen it and encourage it to live.

Unless we look at a person and see the beauty there is in this person, we can contribute nothing to him. One does not help a person by discerning what is wrong, what is ugly, what is distorted. Christ looked at everyone he met, at the pr******te, at the thief, and saw the beauty hidden there. Perhaps it was distorted, perhaps damaged, but it was beauty none the less, and what he did was to call out this beauty.”

—Anthony of Sourozh